Film & Discussion: Catastrophism - The Apocalyptic Politics of Collapse and Rebirth

Meet author and radio broadcaster Sasha Lilley, who will be presenting her new book "Catastrophism: The Apocalyptic Politics of Collapse and Rebirth."

Catastrophism explores the politics of apocalypse—on the left and right, in the environmental movement—and examines why the lens of catastrophe can distort our understanding of the dynamics at the heart of these numerous disasters—and fatally impede our ability to transform the world. Lilley, McNally, Yuen, and Davis probe the reasons why catastrophic thinking is so prevalent, and challenge the belief that it is only out of the ashes that a better society may be born. The authors argue that those who care about social justice and the environment should jettison doomsaying—even as it relates to indisputably apocalyptic climate change. Far from calling people to arms, they suggest, catastrophic fear often results in passivity and paralysis—and, at worst, reactionary politics.

Sasha Lilley is the the co-founder and host of the critically acclaimed program, Against the Grain on KPFA. Sasha is the series editor of PM Press’ political economy imprint, Spectre, and is the author of Capital and Its Discontents.